Double deck auto park apparatus



1967 H. E. GARTHOFFNER 3,351,218

DOUBLE DECK AUTO PARK APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1965 I/ermann E. Gar lb offner INVENTOR.

Nov. 7, 1967 i H. E. GARTHOFFNER 3,351,218

DOUBLE DECK AUTO l ARK APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

FIG.3

Hermann E. Garfhoffner INVENTOR.

1967 H. E. GARTHOFFNER 5 DOUBLE DECK AUTO PARK APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 FIG.4

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hermann f. Gorfhoffner INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,351,218 DOUBLE DECK AUTO PARK APPARATUS Hermann E. Garthoffner, 740 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, Calif. 90731 Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 424,882 1 Claim. (Cl. 214--16.1)

This invention generally relates to auto parking spaces and more particularly to park two cars above each other on a ground space of one single car garage or space.

An object of the invention is to provide parking spaces which are simple in construction, easy to use, well adapted for its intended purpose and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide parking spaces in private homes, apartment-houses and other under roof parking areas.

Still another object of the invention is to provide or create more and more parking space on factory parking grounds, hotels, motels, shopping centers, department stores, garages, filling stations, hospitals, airports, arenas, commercial parking grounds etc.

A very prevailing problem of not enough parking spaces can be helped tremendously.

These together with other objects and advantages, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 shows perspective view of the double deck auto park apparatus.

FIGURE 2 shows in side-elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, carrier deck of the double deck auto park apparatus, in its first position.

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2, shows vehicle on carrier deck of the apparatus at about the center of the deck.

FIGURE 4 is similar to FIGURES 3 and 2 and shows vehicle on carrier deck of the double deck auto park apparatus in position three, the end-position or parkedposition on the upper level parking space.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show details of bearing system.

In carrying out the invention and referring now specifically to the drawing there is provided a fioor 1 which constitutes the lower level parking space. The floor is mounted between two parallel supporting walls 2 which are spaced about nine feet apart, said walls slope upwardly from ground level 1a at an angle of approximately 12 to 15 degrees for the first third of the length of the wall. A recessed circular arc of 160 degrees forms the second third length of the walls. The last portion of the wall 2 slopes down at an angle of about 5 degrees and terminates at about 3 feet above ground level 1a.

Two carrier deck sidebeams constructed with downwardly projecting arcuate members 3 are pivotally mounted in the recessed portion of the supporting wall 2. A carrier deck platform 4 which forms the upper parking level is mounted on the sidebeams. Bearing means 9 are mounted between the supporting Walls and the sidebeams so as to provide anti-friction means for the pivotal movement of the carrier deck.

Side guides 5 and front wheel stops 6 are provided for guiding the vehicle on the platform and limiting the movement thereon, respectively. A stop 6 is also located in the lower parking level.

A step and platform structure 10 is provided to facilitate entry and exit to the upper parking level by the occupants of the vehicle. A fence 8 is mounted on said structure and on the carrier deck platform to provide a "ice safety means for persons entering or leaving the upper parking level.

A drain 7 is constructed in the forward portion of the floor 1 for obvious drainage purposes.

In the operation of the device an oncoming car, intending to park, drives slowly onto the carrier deck, which rests on the supporting Walls, until the rear wheels are on the deck (FIG. 2). By moving slowly ahead and front wheels passing the center of the carrier deck, the deck begins slowly and gently to turn over and moves in a seesaw motion, forced by the weight of the car (FIG. 3). In FIGURE 4 car arrives at end or park position, resting on the front wheel stops at an angle of about 5 degrees downward and 3 to 3 /2 feet above ground level.

In this position, entrance to underdeck parking space is free and ready to be used. The opening is 6 /2 feet high. Opposite operation occurs when upper level ca-r moves out of the upper level parking space by backing out slowly.

Vehicle on upper parking space may be driven in and out without moving vehicle parked on space below.

Entrance or exit for lower and upper parking space may not be used at the same time from both cars, only one after the other.

This double deck car park apparatus may be installed side by side in any quantity as required.

The foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus completely and fully described the invention, what is now claimed as new is as follows:

A double deck car park apparatus comprising in combination with a floor, the floor constituting an entrance and a lower level deck parking space, said floor sloping downwardly away from the entrance, two supporting Walls mounted on said floor on each side thereof, each of said walls having its top surface formed of a first portion downwardly inclined to intersect the lower floor at the entrance thereof, a second portion slightly inclined toward the rear thereof and an arcuate recess separating said two portions, a carrier deck constituting an upper parking space and having a downwardly projecting arcuate member at each side thereof for rotatably mounting the carrier deck in the arcuate recesses of said wall between a raised and lowered position, said carrier deck in its lowered position being supported on the first portion and in its raised position being supported on the second portion of the walls, front wheel stop means mounted on each of said floor and platform, an entrance-exit means to said upper level parking space for vehicle occupants at one end thereof, a safety fence located at said means and on said platform.

References Cited 365,982 12/1938 Italy. GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner. R. B. JOHNSON, Examiner. 

